History Channel's "Top Shot" on Sunday night

[6x6pinz]

I have several friends who are on the fence about firearms and they like the show very much. It is entertaining on some levels. I like that it has influenced my friends in a positive way, showing that there are other things that can be done with firearms other than holding up the local 7-11 or shot outs with cops (as depicted on the cop reality shows).

So grab a beer and a light heart, sit back and enjoy the show, I know I am.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

I have several friends who are on the fence about firearms and they like the show very much. It is entertaining on some levels. I like that it has influenced my friends in a positive way, showing that there are other things that can be done with firearms other than holding up the local 7-11 or shot outs with cops (as depicted on the cop reality shows).

So grab a beer and a light heart, sit back and enjoy the show, I know I am.

Well said.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I am enjoying the show and happy that people involved with making it are posting here.

That zip line challenge looked crazy... but yeah I was concerned about someone shooting their kneecap or foot the way they leaned back in the seat.

Looking forward to the next one.

 

[Harvey]

I dunno.
The 1st week I was thinking the kid (Kelly) was just too full of himself to win.
After the 2nd week, I consider him to be the one to beat. He has really handled himself much better than most of the others, who complain about everything from sighting scopes to grips to targets and on and on. He has consistanly showed he indeed has a high skill level with FA's.
I'm still amazed that Mike (in week 1 )could not hit the target with the 1903 at 100 yds in 37 shots. I honestly think quite a few of us might be able to make that shot (with 37 tries) with no sight on the rifle at all. Then he almost missed the target when he was voting in the elimination.

I do wonder how they went about selecting the players. What type of shooting skills did they have to perform to be accepted for the show? Was it a live fire dis[ply or simply showing their trophies?

My money is on Kid Kelly.

I'll take your money.

Based strictly upon talent (i.e., barring popularity contests) it'll be darn hard to beat Benson, a Master Level 3Gunner with archery expertise and Semper Fi attitude.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Enjoy the show because I have fast forward on the DVR. Don't care for the talk just the shooting.
RH

 

[Straight Shooter]

I was also impressed by Kelly. He was a bit cocky last week when he was in his element but he seemed to keep his mouth shut (from what they showed) and followed instructions this week and it helped him.

I felt for James, he seemed to agonize over his shots.

Anyone know the ratings for this week?

 

[Kalashnikovkid]

I liked this week's session, but a few of the contestants abilities kind of make me question their credentials. The blatant missing of a 50 yard target with a 1903 Springfield aside, it just was kind of iffy when people who claim to be marksman have no idea how to handle a handgun. Not to say that I'd be beter than anyone, because they all tried and did pretty well in the long run.

I was rooting pretty hard for Frank the Swat guy, even if he was a New Yorker The Glock fanboy really grinded my nerves when he was blowing through the ammo and not willing to admit that he didn't know as much as he thought he did, and kept whining about the gun. I really was ready for him to go home, but I imagine with his antics it's only a matter of time before he gets voted off the island.

On a side note, I think Kelly and Andre are sleeper cells. They're both pretty good shots, and nice guys to boot, so I bet it will come down to them.

 

[Jaybird78]

I can see how it could be interesting to the non-shooting public. Which I suppose is the target audience. However I give it.....EPIC FAIL

I think the only person who can save the show is TOM KNAPP

 

[mesinge2]

I liked this week's session, but a few of the contestants abilities kind of make me question their credentials. The blatant missing of a 50 yard target with a 1903 Springfield aside, it just was kind of iffy when people who claim to be marksman have no idea how to handle a handgun. Not to say that I'd be beter than anyone, because they all tried and did pretty well in the long run.

I was rooting pretty hard for Frank the Swat guy, even if he was a New Yorker The Glock fanboy really grinded my nerves when he was blowing through the ammo and not willing to admit that he didn't know as much as he thought he did, and kept whining about the gun. I really was ready for him to go home, but I imagine with his antics it's only a matter of time before he gets voted off the island.

On a side note, I think Kelly and Andre are sleeper cells. They're both pretty good shots, and nice guys to boot, so I bet it will come down to them.

This is exactly what I was going to say

 

[Ankeny]

I just read 13 pages of this thread, and I could have stopped on page 8 with

I believe the show was meant to be entertaining, and it has guns in it.....

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I hate Reality TV.

It's a bad model for cheap, throw-away programming. Most of the "tension" is later shown to be taken out of context. I actually know this from personal experience (not a big deal though). At the end of the day, no one really cares because it's all just using free talent to fill up airtime on the cheap.

Think about the early days of television sports in the 1960s. Football used to be a few snippets of plays with a big focus on kickoffs and punts. Kicking was understandable to the producers and looked good on TV. It was cheap, but it took off.

Now you have the NFL Channel speeding up games for fans by ELIMINATING kickoffs and punts. The TV fan base evolved. It took 50 years.

The whole problem with television and the shooting sports is that we expect our discipline to be covered like today's football. Each specific shooting event is extremely objective, but a "good shooter" is very subjective. In reality, we in the shooting sports are even more fractured than Track & Field. Do YOU watch Track & Field?

Shooting sports will never deliver the excitement of football.

History Channel has a new "reality" direction (which I do NOT like), but they seem to realize the appeal of guns in America. (duh! How 'bout guns in the human condition!). They created a show that encompasses many shooting disciplines. I hope it kicks butt.

There are a lot of flaws in this show. Showing a "Top Shot" contender who cannot shoot a 1903 at a pie plate at 100 yards?

But this show is awesome for those of us who believe that the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed. This show pulls together many shooting disciplines.

Maybe this show will create a whole new cross-functional shooting discipline. Hopefully it gets more non-shooters interested in some shooting event. The more shooters the better.

IMHO - I would like the show to point out safe gun handling whenever possible. With pull-out segments about "the four rules", etc. I think that would only strengthen its appeal.

For all of you experienced shooters here on THR - There is no reason at all to stop pointing out the flaws of this show! THAT is what makes good things stronger. Tell your friends how they could do better! I think we have forgotten that in the USA. Which is a major flaw.

BradEngmann - Welcome to THR! Regardless of any opinions on the TV show or the manner in which you were "eliminated", you are now a spokesperson for the shooting sports. Use your position well.

 

[BradEngmann]

I hate Reality TV.

It's a bad model for cheap, throw-away programming. Most of the "tension" is later shown to be taken out of context. I actually know this from personal experience (not a big deal though). At the end of the day, no one really cares because it's all just using free talent to fill up airtime on the cheap.

Think about the early days of television sports in the 1960s. Football used to be a few snippets of plays with a big focus on kickoffs and punts. Kicking was understandable to the producers and looked good on TV. It was cheap, but it took off.

Now you have the NFL Channel speeding up games for fans by ELIMINATING kickoffs and punts. The TV fan base evolved. It took 50 years.

The whole problem with television and the shooting sports is that we expect our discipline to be covered like today's football. Each specific shooting event is extremely objective, but a "good shooter" is very subjective. In reality, we in the shooting sports are even more fractured than Track & Field. Do YOU watch Track & Field?

Shooting sports will never deliver the excitement of football.

History Channel has a new "reality" direction (which I do NOT like), but they seem to realize the appeal of guns in America. (duh! How 'bout guns in the human condition!). They created a show that encompasses many shooting disciplines. I hope it kicks butt.

There are a lot of flaws in this show. Showing a "Top Shot" contender who cannot shoot a 1903 at a pie plate at 100 yards?

But this show is awesome for those of us who believe that the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed. This show pulls together many shooting disciplines.

Maybe this show will create a whole new cross-functional shooting discipline. Hopefully it gets more non-shooters interested in some shooting event. The more shooters the better.

IMHO - I would like the show to point out safe gun handling whenever possible. With pull-out segments about "the four rules", etc. I think that would only strengthen its appeal.

For all of you experienced shooters here on THR - There is no reason at all to stop pointing out the flaws of this show! THAT is what makes good things stronger. Tell your friends how they could do better! I think we have forgotten that in the USA. Which is a major flaw.

BradEngmann - Welcome to THR! Regardless of any opinions on the TV show or the manner in which you were "eliminated", you are now a spokesperson for the shooting sports. Use your position well.

Thanks Ready. I agree with you in terms of the watchability of shooting on television. I think that there are a multitude of reasons for this. The single most obvious is movies. When people are accustomed to seeing John Woo style firefights and doves flying in the air amidst the bullets, they don't exactly get excited watching a shooter go "bang...plink, bang...plink, pop pop" on a static course. The other element of this is difficulty. Peoples' expectations of skill are too high. It's damn hard to hit some shots, but the magic of fiction makes it look easy.

However, in spite of the drama, of which I'm now clearly a part, Top Shot does have considerable mainstream appeal. It makes things exciting, and pits high stakes on the outcome of events. Ultimately as a result of the show, I'd like to see some people at home who were either apathetic or opposed to guns say "gee whiz, that looks like fun!" and come try it. I mean the show currently has a giant billboard on the Nasdaq building in Times Square- could you imagine shooting getting that much exposure through another medium? Now we're getting millions of viewers tuned into the sport, and of course, to see me make an ass out of myself.

 

[GojuBrian]

Well Brad, I applaud you for coming on here and giving us the inside scoop. Now, I'm going to be rooting for you because you seem to be a stand up guy.

I'm glad the show came about and firearms are getting some positive exposure for once. Now maybe people can see then for what they really are, tools.

BTW, I'm a huge CZ fan. I've had a cz 75b in satin nickel for a while and that baby can really shoot. It needs some trigger tuning, but that is all. The overall feel is second only to my kimber 1911.

 

[NWCP]

As stated before any positive exposure for the sport is a good thing. I think I'm just burned out on all of the 'reality' shows that are hitting the airwaves these days most of which are pap for the mind numbed public. It's good to see the shooting sport in a format that most folks at home might enjoy.

 

[Dewey 68]

Good second episode

I liked the episode overall. The producers changed it up on the contestants with no physical challenge this week, so they'll be guessing what's going to happen for next week.

There are some shooters on this show who are either not performing under pressure, or are not as good as they think they are. Kelly did great, and it was excruciating to watch the historical expert, the truck driver, shooting, but it was good to see him hit the target the second time. I'd love to have seen this in person versus what we are seeing on TV, as I'm sure the editing can make anyone look like a ******bag. I'm predicting that Bill Carns doesn't last too much longer, but it all depends on the challenges.

Did anyone notice the continuity mistake in the elimination nomination? When the last shooter shot to break the tie, he picks up the gun without eye protection, and then seconds later makes his shot with eye protection. Not a big deal, just something I noticed.

I'll bet kids really enjoy this show with the exploding targets, etc.

 

[huntsman]

I think I'm just burned out on all of the 'reality' shows that are hitting the airwaves these days most of which are pap for the mind numbed public. It's good to see the shooting sport in a format that most folks at home might enjoy.

+1 Pap is pap adding guns just expands the viewership of a mind numbed public.

Better to turn off the tube and shoot off a box of twenty twos.

If gun people are looking to TV shows to validate the shooting sports reality really is threatened and entertainment must be at an all time low.

 

[Owen]

I think that if you're doubting these people credentials, you really need to go to the History channel website and read the bios. They aren't really explaining who some of these people are, probably because it would be meaningless to people who aren't in the sport.

 

[Rembrandt]

My apologies to forum members and Top Shot participants, my comments concerning Brad and others were uncalled for and cheap shots. I have no fondness for plastic handguns and the Glock comments on the show seemed like an opportunity to express that bias.

I know first hand how difficult it can be to shoot when cameras are rolling. Some years ago I participated in a Sporting Clays shoot with a popular TNN hunting show host. Totally unexpected the host "volunteered" me to shoot with him, handed me a field grade O/U that I had never shot. My shotgun expertise was with trap guns....a sight picture & POI totally different than field guns. No practice and cameras rolling I missed a fair share of the targets. Thanks to the miracle of the editing room, when it aired my shooting improved vastly.

Top Shot is not the show I had envisioned, but quite entertaining and will continue to watch. Had I been competing on the show, most certainly would have been the first one given a bus ticket home. To be proficient in all venues and implements used, it would require the winning participant to be of decathlon stature.

 

[FLAvalanche]

The funny part is the two distinct groups here commenting on the zip line.

Group 1 said "That looked awesome, I want to do that!"

Group 2 said "They're gonna shoot their knees off!"

Group 2 needs to unclench.

 

[Justin]

I think that if you're doubting these people credentials, you really need to go to the History channel website and read the bios. They aren't really explaining who some of these people are, probably because it would be meaningless to people who aren't in the sport.

Owen, to be honest, I don't think most gun owners know what those credentials mean.

 

[batjka]

Brad,

Good to see you on the forum. Thank you for the scoop and I have to mention that your writing is quite eloquent.

Now to the question... What's the deal with you and Mike? I understand you admire the guy, but you were really devastated when he got eliminated. You even offered to be in the elimination instead of him. It seems like you have very little respect for yourself. Doesn't make a good impression.

Toughen up!

I'm looking forward to seeing the next episode. Thank you for your participation in this interesting show.

 

[BradEngmann]

Brad,

Good to see you on the forum. Thank you for the scoop and I have to mention that your writing is quite eloquent.

Now to the question... What's the deal with you and Mike? I understand you admire the guy, but you were really devastated when he got eliminated. You even offered to be in the elimination instead of him. It seems like you have very little respect for yourself. Doesn't make a good impression.

Toughen up!

I'm looking forward to seeing the next episode. Thank you for your participation in this interesting show.

Hi batjka,

Thanks for the compliment on the writing. Per Mike, simply put, I have a lot of respect for the guy. I didn't know him in advance of the show, but knew him by reputation as a fellow USPSA shooter. During Episode 1, I saw him completely crash and burn (was standing right behind him the whole time). He also stood up and took full responsibility as the man behind the gun for the debacle.

One of the main challenges on a show like this is adapting quickly. He had precious few minutes (and fewer rounds) to get acquainted with the 1903. But watching him drop 30+ rounds on target made my heart sink, not only because of concern for his reputation (which has since been thoroughly trashed online), but also because I knew I could just have easily been on that station since I chose to spot for him in practice. I asked for votes because I didn't want anyone to think that it was his fault for the loss.

On his blog, Mike mentions the rear sight coming loose. I can't speculate about that because I wasn't there. Also I must say that History always went to great lengths to ensure team fairness, and I'm absolutely 100% sure that there was zero rigging involved. All I know is that a combination of factors went wrong and I hoped it wouldn't reflect poorly on Mike.

 

[Claude Clay]

all the reality type 'surviver' shows bore me to tears. watched snippets of this---no different.

who ever said " if your gonna talk, talk. if your gonna shoot, shoot. but make up your mind" had this show pegged.

and if with a baretta 92 they cant hit an inch & a half at 25 FEET they do not belong on a show.
they belong next to an instructor

 

[Gryffydd]

On his blog, Mike mentions the rear sight coming loose. I can't speculate about that because I wasn't there.

I've had that happen to me with one of my 1903s. I can imagine forgetting it under the pressure of competition under the camera, but all it takes is a quick visual check on the sight and making sure it's in position when you go to fire. You may have to realign it after every shot...but if you've got time to shoot 37 times...

 

[kragluver]

IMHO - I would like the show to point out safe gun handling whenever possible. With pull-out segments about "the four rules", etc. I think that would only strengthen its appeal.

I was just about to post exactly this point. This is one item that seems to be clearly missing - the safety aspect. They have the perfect opportunity to show the non-shooting public safe gun handling (not that I've seen contestants doing anything unsafe - although I cringed at the zip line drill the show had them do - that looked like an accident waiting to happen!) and they are missing a golden opportunity.

I've watched the first two episodes and will probably continue to watch. While I personally wish the show was more about head-to-head shooting competitions and less about personalities and the "Survivor format" and all, I realize that it was created for the mass audience and not just us "gun nuts".

Someone really needed to show them how to use the sights on a Model 1903 though Even the "SEAL Team" expert was using the battle sight with the front sight protector on!